Are you new to the Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network Promoting STEM Through Literature project? If so, welcome! These resources are developed specifically with you in mind. We understand that new projects can be a bit intimidating to try. We are here to help. If you have questions feel free to reach out to mistem@northwested.org
There are so many good books. Are you wondering which one to start with your students? One Plastic Bag is an easy start that does not require a lot of costly materials. As you guide your students through the lessons please remember that these resources are grounded in the Maker Philosophy. This means that the students will be making, deciding, iterating, etc.
Let's chat a bit about Maker.
"Maker education offers a transformational approach to teaching and learning that attends to the real and relevant needs of learners and humans. It is an approach that positions agency and student interest at the center, asking students to become more aware of the design of the world around them, and begin to see themselves as people who can tinker, hack and improve that design.
Maker education is fundamentally about approaches, mindsets, and community – not about stuff – and Maker Ed’s focus on educators and the institutions they work in emerges from our core belief that maker education is about people. We know that people need support, tools, resources and community to fully participate in the opportunities offered. We know that learning is contextual and social, and that for children to get what they need, educators must have what they need." (What is Maker Education?)
So what does this mean? Maker empowers student voice, choice, and creates a real-world context that means something to them. This means that maker requires the educator to release a bit of control and embrace the mess of learning and how it ties back to people.
"Building on the work of educational theorists like Jean Piaget (constructivism) and Seymour Papert (constructionism) maker-centered learning develops that awareness through interactive, open-ended, student-driven, multi-disciplinary experiences that allow for the time and space needed to develop diverse skills, knowledge, and ways of thinking. In maker-centered learning environments, students imagine, design, and create projects that align the content of learning with hands-on application. Maker education can surface the deep knowledge and resilience in communities, making space in institutions for different ways of knowing and sharing knowledge. Maker education isn’t about the stuff we can make, it’s about the connections, community and the meaning we can make, and who holds the power to decide what our futures hold." (What is Maker Education?)
We host introductory workshops in Maker periodically. Contact Drea Weiner, Regional Director to learn about the next workshop. Don't have a chance to attend the workshop? Check out Learning in the Making. It's a great "online video series designed to support educators and families with accessible hands-on learning experiences. This work is part of our focus on supporting remote learning in various environments." (Learning in the Making)
All teachers are professional experts in their subjects and pedagogy. These resources will provide teachers with different ideas in which they can use their expertise to meet their current needs. All items can be scaled and adapted to any subject, preK to 12 (and beyond). With Creative Commons licensing, all educators are encouraged to use and adapt the resources as they see fit. (REMC PSTL Curriculum Connections)
Step 1. Check Out the Book from REMC
Step 2. Read the Book
Step 3. Review the Lesson Plan
Step 4. Check out the Materials
Step 5. Prep Your Classroom
Step 6. Learn with Your Students
Step 7. Reflect with Your Students
Step 8. Reflect as an Educator
Step 9. Celebrate Success!
These resources have been designed so you can run with them in the classroom without having to do extensive professional learning prior to introducing them to your students. However, we do understand that experiencing the project through PL is helpful and can reduce your wonderings about classroom implementation. Below are a few options for you to engage in.
We have identified the days where it would be perfect to try PSTL within your classroom.
The REMC Association has frequent workshops available either virtually or in-person throughout the state. This is a wonderful chance to learn from colleagues throughout the state about how they are using PSTL within their classrooms.
WiredTC is northern Michigan's fantastic ed tech conference. It is a no cost event for educators in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties. Come learn from educators who have designed and used PSTL in their classroom.
We understand that it's really hard to leave the classroom. So we've created a workshop that will allow you to learn and collaborate with fellow educators. These workshops are hosted throughout the year. Click here to attend our next offering.